Caricom receives New Spainish plenipotentiary

Apr 26, 2014 News

Secretary General for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque yesterday at Guyana’s Secretariat at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara accepted the credentials of the Kingdom of Spain Ambassador to Guyana Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez De Turiso as the new Plenipotentiary representative to CARICOM.
Secretary General LaRocque who accepted the credentials for the new diplomat said that the relationship between CARICOM and Spain is one that is based on goodwill and “the shared belief that a partnership, founded on equality, mutual respect and common values, can engender positive results for all.
“This is evidenced by the wide range of cooperation that exists between us.”
According to LaRocque despite the severe economic challenges that have confronted Spain in recent years, it has and continues to be critical, reliable and a supportive partner to Caricom he also underscored the need for continued cooperation within the international arena against the backdrop of the “ever challenging global environment.”
The Caricom Secretary General spoke to the historical relationship and Joint Commissions that are shared between Caricom and Spain.
“These engagements have not just been political encounters, but have resulted in technical cooperation with tangible results. Projects were implemented in diverse and critical areas such as water and sanitation, health and non-communicable diseases, agricultural development, fisheries, tourism, services, electoral observation and other key economic and social areas.
“Spain has also provided support for the diplomatic and Spanish language training of officials across the Region, allowing for more effective CARICOM representation in international fora.”
LaRocque spoke also to the Spanish technical cooperation which he said has been further enhanced with the establishment of the CARICOM-Spain Joint Fund, in November 2011.
He said that during 2012, projects were funded in the areas of agriculture, food security, institutional support and trade and economic integration. These areas he explained are “crucial for the sustainable economic development of the Community.”
In 2013, additional projects in the security domain, with particular emphasis on youth and gender were initiated.
Spain’s Ambassador Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez De Turiso said that this year would mark 15 years of Spain-CARICOM cooperation. The first cooperation agreement was signed on July 4, 1999.
“For us this is a special occasion which shows our clear and unwavering commitment to the region.”
He explained the quality of their cooperation has been enhanced significantly over those 15 years, into one with focused lines of action, and with specific instruments such as the Joint Fund.
Within those years Lopez said that Spain has been among the top 10 donors to CARICOM. “If we also consider bilateral contributions to member countries, it would show that Spain is one of the main development partners in the region.
“I wish to note that in addition to Spain’s work with Caribbean bilateral partners, as well as with CARICOM, my country has embraced the priorities and concerns of the region and defended these in multilateral fora, both within the EU and United Nations.”
According to the Spanish diplomat this year Spain and CARICOM will also celebrate important milestones such as the signing of the CARICOM – Spain Joint Commission, which he outlined, is expected to take place in Guyana on May 19, next.
This would mean the provision of additional funding by Spain for cooperation programmes.
Lopez said that Spain’s commitment to multilateralism has led his country to submit application for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2015-2016 period and emphasized that the “Spanish candidacy has added value for the Caribbean, given that we are a partner with a presence in the region, a partner who is reliable, willing to assist, and who is also aware of the concerns and interests of its Caribbean friends.
Should our candidacy be successful, Spain would be a loyal advocate for the Caribbean and, within the UN forum, would serve as a voice capable of transmitting the region’s messages and expectations.”

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